The new aerial truck cost close to $900,000, and it was funded by contributions large and small, including sizable investment by the City, County, Rural Fire District, and major local employers.

The fire protection district has three pumper trucks but its newest one is in Michigan undergoing a 6 month repair after metal started flaking off the truck's frame. 

"So now we're down to two trucks, two pumpers, both of these trucks are 20 years old. Reliability is a concern and maintenance costs for these two trucks are extremely high," said Fire Chief Erik Kambarian.

Kambarian said the fire protection district really needs a new, reliable fire truck but can't afford the more than $400,000 cost. He said revenue from property tax has been flat since the 2008 recession but costs have continued to climb.

Collin L. Brill, 53, from Long Valley was arrested on March 3 after police say he struck a fire truck on Fairmount Road. According to police, Brill crossed the double yellow line and struck the fire truck head on as it was driving to a call.